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onekishtwokish's review against another edition
5.0
Very good resource for artists looking for tips to enhance their drawing. Would 100% read again.
heritage's review against another edition
2.0
I bought this book online based on others' recommendations. It didn't really meet my needs, but perhaps it will yours, so let me explain.
My goal is to draw in a way that communicates effectively the thing I'm trying to convey to the viewer--more practical than it is artistic self-expression. I'm not the least bit interested in portraiture, texture, or light. There was some useful information in the chapters The Drawing Process, Proportions: Taking the Measure of Things, and The Illusion of Depth. However, I'd say I need a beginners book that is one step before this one because his lessons assume you already have at least more drawing experience than the average person.
Another problem is that I'm interested in pen and ink drawing, as well as marker on whiteboard. Very basic stuff with hard edges. This book goes into pencil and charcoal as well, neither of which were very relevant in my situation.
However, the biggest drawback to this book is that most of the drawings aren't very good--except for the ones done by other artists that he's just borrowing. His own art, while not bad at times, is not impressive. If I could do it at an amateur level, I'd be impressed. But, at a professional level, this is quite disappointing.
I think a lot of the information in here can be gleaned from YouTube videos. If you have an opportunity to borrow this book, I'd suggest that over buying it.
My goal is to draw in a way that communicates effectively the thing I'm trying to convey to the viewer--more practical than it is artistic self-expression. I'm not the least bit interested in portraiture, texture, or light. There was some useful information in the chapters The Drawing Process, Proportions: Taking the Measure of Things, and The Illusion of Depth. However, I'd say I need a beginners book that is one step before this one because his lessons assume you already have at least more drawing experience than the average person.
Another problem is that I'm interested in pen and ink drawing, as well as marker on whiteboard. Very basic stuff with hard edges. This book goes into pencil and charcoal as well, neither of which were very relevant in my situation.
However, the biggest drawback to this book is that most of the drawings aren't very good--except for the ones done by other artists that he's just borrowing. His own art, while not bad at times, is not impressive. If I could do it at an amateur level, I'd be impressed. But, at a professional level, this is quite disappointing.
I think a lot of the information in here can be gleaned from YouTube videos. If you have an opportunity to borrow this book, I'd suggest that over buying it.
jaciacarlile's review against another edition
4.0
Funny story. I bought this second hand because it looked helpful— and it has been— but when I enrolled in intro to drawing, I was told to buy the book. Yay! It’s fun to go through it again.
k8nikles's review against another edition
5.0
I read this as a high schooler and owe so much to it! I grew up in a small town without many art resources— no classes to speak of at my school. I ended up going on to get a bachelors in illustration/visual arts (graduated 4 years ago) but let me tell you: this book is just as valuable to me as any of what I learned in college was. I know it sounds excessive but I mean that! I’m a big proponent of studying on one’s own, which I understand isn’t for everyone. But I really, really stand behind this book! It has very straightforward guidance and gives the reader concrete steps they can take to improve. Follow the exercises, and I swear you’ll see a difference!